Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers

Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers is sponsored by VPG Foundation (administered by Optica). This prize recognizes and funds early-career professionals (1-5 years post highest degree) engaged in innovative projects with the potential to make a meaningful impact on the science and applications of fiber laser technologies.

Gapontsev Prize for Future Innovations in Fiber Lasers | Optica Early Career Prizes & Fellowships Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers Funding research excellence in fiber laser technologies. 02 March 2026 - 15 May 2026 US$20,000 stipend and travel expenses to attend the Optica Laser Congress and Exhibition.

Scholarships & Student Prizes Early Career Prizes & Fellowships Schools & Training Programs Scholarships & Student Prizes Early Career Prizes & Fellowships Schools & Training Programs The Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers provides recognition and funding for early-career professionals engaged in exciting and innovative projects with the potential to make a meaningful and positive impact on the science and applications of fiber laser technologies.

The Prize was established in honor of Valentin Gapontsev's groundbreaking work and champions emerging researchers passionate about advancing fiber laser technology. By empowering early-career talent, it fosters the potential for groundbreaking innovations and real-world applications.

Recognizing the critical role of innovative research, the prize underscores the importance of pushing the boundaries of fiber lasers, in line with Gapontsev's vision for technological advancement. Recipients will be granted total research freedom with consideration being given to the following: Work focused on advancing basic research, or pursuing a compelling project that has a meaningful global impact.

Efforts focused on transitioning an idea into a commercial innovation. This Prize is funded by the VPG Foundation. Applications available at apply.

optica. org Must be an Optica member. Must be an early-career professional (1-5 years post highest degree).

Conducting research in fiber laser technology. Examples of some eligible disciplines include: fundamental and theoretical advances; advanced manufacturing and materials processing; medical applications and biophotonics; energy production and nuclear fusion; art, conservation and cultural heritage preservation.

Program requirements recognize and exclude career breaks from career timelines (e.g., eldercare, maternity or paternity leave, inability to work due to COVID-19, military service). 150-word Research Proposal Summary Highlight current research and the potential impact of your project/research on the science and applications of fiber laser technologies, how it could solve real-world challenges and/or have a global impact.

Overview of how the $20,000 prize would benefit your research and career. One example of published work. Two letters of recommendation.

If you have questions, please contact prizes@optica. org . FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg & LMU München, Germany For his contributions in developing high-power few-cycle fiber frequency combs and their applications in attosecond and strong-field physics.

Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany For his groundbreaking work in developing one of the world's most powerful ultrafast fiber lasers, achieving 10. 4 kW of average power. His innovations in pulse compression and oscillator stabilization promise significant advancements in nanotechnology, biomedical research and environmental monitoring.

Norwegian University of Science and Tech University of KwaZulu-Natal, PMB